Stereo viewing device



Dec. 7, 1943. c. w. PETERSON STEREO VIEWING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l EHARLEE W. PETERSON INVENTOR W4PW f A ORS'EYS Dec. 7, 194-3. c. w. PETERSON STEREO VIEWING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1940 CHARLES WFETEHSEIN INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 1, 1943 2.336.288 sraaao vmwmc nnvrcs Charles W. Peterson. Rochester, N. Y., assignor Eastman Kodak Company. Rochester, N. Y.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application June 12, 1940, Serial No. 340,142 is Claims. (01. ass-29) The present invention relates to viewing devices, and more particularly to a device of this class adapted for viewing a pair of stereoscopic images.

One object of the invention is the provision oi an arrangement for pivotally mounting the viewing lens tubes for movement about axes which lie substantially in the plane oi the stereo slide ior adjusting the -interocular spacing oi the viewing lens tubes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple, yet highly eiiective arrangement for operatively connecting the viewing lens tubes so that the lateral movement oi either of the tubes will automatically and simultaneously move the other tubes an equal amount and in the proper direction so as to secure the desired spacing of the tubes. I

A further object oi the invention is the provision of an arrangement for partially ejecting the slides to facilitate the removal thereof from viewing position.

Still another object o! the invention is the provision of a lamphouse in which a lamp is mounted on a detachable handle or support to facilitate the replacement oi said lamp.

'I o these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations oi parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a stereoscopic viewing device constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device mounted on a supporting bracket or stand;

Fig. 2 is a side'elevation view oi the device and the supporting bracket illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view oi the cover plate with its light diffusing glass, and the springs for retaining the slide in proper viewing position, as shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the viewing device, with the lamphouse removed, and taken along a portion of line 5-8 of Fig. 5, showing the stereo slide partially inserted in the device, or the position the slide will occupy when partially ejected;

Fig. 5, is a horizontal sectional view taken through the viewing device and the lamphouse;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the device illustrated in Fig. 5, and taken substantially on line 6-5 thereof, showing the arrangement of the various parts;

Fig. 7 is a plan view oi the pair oi viewing -a portion of the viewing device taken substantially on the line IO-i0 of Fig. 5, showing the relation of the two telescopic members and their connecting plate.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

The present invention is embodied in the present instance, by way of illustration, in a stereo viewing device which comprises broadly a slide holder II, a pair of viewing lens tubes |2 operatively connected to the holder and through which the images on a stereo slide i3 may be viewed, a lamphouse l4 detachably secured to the holder H for illuminating the images of the slide i3, and a supporting base or bracket IS. The holder comprises, in the present embodiment, a pair of hollow rectangular members It and H which are slidably connected for telescopic adjustment, as shown in Fig. 5 and later described. A pair oi laterally extending lugs |8 on the inner member slide in grooves or slots I! in the outer member is, as shown in Fig. 5. One end oi each of these slots is closed by a shoulder at 20, Fig. 5, to limit the outward movement 01! the member relative to the member IS. A plate 2| rests on and is secured by screws 22 to a pair oi shoulders or abutments 23 arranged along opposite inner surfaces of the member l8 and positioned below the front or top edge 24 of the member I6, as best shown in Fig. 10.

The plate 2| is formed with a pair of spaced apertures 25 which frame the two spaced stereoscopic images on the slide I3. An internally threaded sleeve 26 extends through a registering opening in the plate 2| and has the ends riveted over thereon, as shown at 28, Fig. 5, to rigidly secure the sleeve 26 to the plate 2|. A closure plate 3|! is secured by screws 3| to the front of the member I! and is formed with an opening through which a portion 33 ct a focusing knob 34 extends. A stud 35 operatively connects the portion 33 with a second externally threaded sleeve 36 positioned within and threadably engages the sleeve 26, as shown in Fig. 5. As the plate 2| is rigidly fixed to the member IE, it will be apparent that rotation of the knob 34 will rotate the sleeve 36 within the stationary sleeve 26 to slidably move the members It and I! in a telescopic relation to focus the lens tubes 12 which are secured to the member I 1 in a manner to be presently described.

The two lens tubes l2 are of identical construction so that only one will be described in detall, the corresponding parts of the other lens tube being designated by the same numerals. Each tube is of the shape best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and is provided with a suitable viewing lens 40 atthe viewing end, see Fig. 5. Each tube is formed with an upper and a lower arcuate lug 4| and 42 which are slidably mounted in similar concentric recesses 43 formed in the edge 44 of the member l1. Springs 45 have the ends thereof secured by screws 46 on the edge 44 and has intermediate portions 47 formed to conform with the curvature of the lugs 4i and 42 to positively retain the latter in the recesses 43, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. and 9. By means of this arrangementeach lens tube is pivotally mounted for lateral movement on the member H, the center of curvature of the lugs 4i and 42 being substantially in the plane of the slide i3 so that the point of pivot for each tube I2 is substantially in the plane of theslide, the advantages of which are apparent to those in the art. When the lugs 4i and 42 are retained in the recesses 43 by the springs 45, the flared portions 48 thereof engage similar shaped shoulders or abutments 49 and 50 formed 40, as will be apparent.

The pivotal mounting of the tubes l2 on the member I! permit the tubes to be adjusted laterally relative to each other to secure the desired interocular spacing suitable to the user.

During the latter adjusting, the lugs- 4| .and 42 slidealong the recesses 43 and the flared portions 48 slidably engage the shoulders 49 and 50.

The tube l2 thus has two adjustments; one toward and away from the slide l3 to secure the proper focusing, and second, laterally relative to each other and the member I! to secure the proper interocular spacing. It is contemplated that each lens tube may be separately and independently adjusted laterally, but it is preferred to operatively connect the tubes so that any lateral movement of either of the tubes will be automatically and simultaneously transmitted to the other tube to move the latter the proper distance and direction to secure the desired spacing of the tubes.

To this, end, the present invention provides a novel, simple; yet highly effective connection between the tubes '2. Referring now to Figs. '7 and 8, it will be apparent that each tube I2 is provided with a pair of inwardly projecting teeth connect the tubes for unitary and simultaneous lateral adjustment. In order that this two-tooth connection may be utilized to adjust both tubes simultaneously regardless of which one is actuated, th overlapping relation of the upper and lower pairs of teeth are reversed. In other words, the upper tooth 52 of the left tube l2, Fig. 7, is positioned behind the upper tooth 52 of the right tube l2; as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The lower tooth 53 of the left tube i2, is, however, positioned ahead of the lower tooth 53 of the right tube, as indicated in Fig. 8. By means of this arrangement, the leftward movement of the left tube l2 will bring the upper tooth 52 into engagement with the upper tooth 52 of the right tube to move the latter to the right to separate the tubes. However, the rightward movement of the left tube l2 will bring the lower tooth 53 into engagement with the similar lower tooth 53 on the right tube to move the latter to the left, to bring the two tubes toward each other. Thus any movement of either tube will simultaneously move the other tube an equal amount and in the proper direction. It is apparent that during such lateral adjustment only a single tooth on one'of the tubes engages-and actuates'asingle tooth on the other tube to secure the desiredsimultaneous tube adjustment.

The open end of the member 56 is closed by a cover plate 58 which is formed with apertures 59 arranged in alignment with the images of the slide I3 and the apertures 25 of the plate 2!. Light diffusing members 60 such as ground or frosted glass, are positioned over the apertures 59 to suitably difiuse the light falling on the stereo images. A-top opening slot 6| is formed in the member it between the plate 2i and the cover plate 58, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 9. The slide 13 isinserted through this slot, see Fig. 4, and is engaged by springs 62 on the cover plate 58 to urge the slide toward and into engagement with the plate 2|, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. As the slide is thus inserted, the lower edge 63 thereof engages V-shaped springs 64 positioned in the bottom of the slot 6| and retained in position therein by aligned recesses 65 and 66 in the members 16 and the cover plate 58, see Fig. 4. 'The springs 64 are formed with .an inclined or'cam-like portion 68 which, when the lower end 63 of the slide engagestherewith, cams or moves the slide toward the plate 2!, the spring 62 cooperating in said positioning movement. When the'slide has been inserted the proper distance in the slot 5|, the upper end 69 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figs, 4 and 9, to bring the upper end behind or under the retaining shoulder 10 formed on the member I! adjacent the top of the slot 6 l The slide is thus securely held in position between the springs 64 and the shoulder 10 to position the image areas of the slide in registry with the apertures 25 and 59 of the plates 2| and 58, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. When, however, the slides are to be removed, the top 69 of the slide is tilted to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, to disengage the slide from the shoulder 10. The springs 64 then flex upwardly (to the position shown in Fig. 4 topartially eject the slide through the slot 6| to a position where it may be grasped by the user and removed, thus materially facilitating the removal of the slide. To further assist such removal, the member l6 and the cover plate 58 adjacent the slot 6| are formed with aligned curved or cut away finger recesses H and 12 respectively.

If natural light is .available, the above described 'device can be used-without any lamphouse [4. In such a case, the device is directed.

toward the light source and is used much in the manner of a pair of binoculars. The light rays are then diflused by the ground glasses 88 and sufllciently illuminat the two stereo images so that the latter may be stereoscopically viewed through the two lens tubes to secure the desired third dimensional effect. If desired, however, the lamphouse may be used merely by securing the lamphouse to the cover plate 88 by means of thumb screws 18 which are carried by the lamphouse and arranged to threadably engage registering openings 18 in the cover plate 88, see Fig. 5.

The lamphouse is formed with a bottom 11 from which depends a handle 18 by which the entire viewing device may be held in the hand. The lamphouse also comprises a back I9, inclined sides 88, and a top 8| all of which cooperate with the bottom 11 to form an enclosure for a light source or lamp 8!. A shield 83 is positioned between the lamp 82 and thecover plate 88 to direct the rays of the lamp onto the inclined sides 88 from whence they are directed through the diil'using glasses 88 to the spaced stereo images on the slide II. The slides 88 may have secured thereto suitable reflecting members,- such as mirrors, but it has been found that sufllcient reflection can be secured merely by coating the inside of a lamphouse with a suitable reflecting paint.

In order to permit the ready and easy replacement of the lamp 8! without necessitating detachment of the lamphouse H from the holder Ii, the lamp 82 is preferably mounted on the upper end of the handle I8 and projects through an opening 88 in the bottom ll of the lamphouse. The handle 18 is, in turn, detachably secured to the lamphouse bottom I1 so that the handle and lamp may be easily disconnected from the lamphouse. To secure this result, the handle 18 is formed with a flange 85 arranged to engage the under side 88 ofth bottom I1 and to be detachably secured thereto by screws or other suitable fastening means. A suitable electric cord passes through the handle 18 and connects the lamp 82 to a suitable source of electric current.

The handle 18 thus affords a means by which the viewing device may be held in the hand. If, however, a more permanent or more rigid support is desired, the handle 18 may be secured to the supporting base or bracket IS. The latter may be formed from a single piece of rod to provide a circular or suitable shaped horizontal It is thus apparent thatthe present invention provides a simple, unique, and highly effective means for pivotally mounting the viewing lens tube for movement about axes which lie substantially in the plane of the stereo slide. The invention also provides a novel arrangement for operatively connecting the lens tubes so that movement of either tube will automatically and simultaneously move'the other tube th proper amount and direction to secure the desired interocular spacing of th tubes. In addition, a device is provided for partially ejecting the slides so that the latter may be readily removed from the viewing device. Finally, the detachable lamphouse is formed with a removable handle on which the lamp is mounted so that the latter may be replaced without necessitating the detachment of the lamphouse from the holder ll.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of portion 88 adapted to be positioned on a table or suitable object, and a pair of upwardly extending spaced members 98 which are adapted to be slidably received in longitudinal-extending slots 9i formed in the handle 18. By sliding the handle I8 along the members 98, the vertical position of the viewer may be adjusted. The members 98 are adapted to extend through registering openings 92 in the bottom 11 of the lamphouse and to engage the top 8| which limits the downward adjustment of the device, aswill be apparent from inspection of Fig. 6. The members 88 are preferably slightly bowed to aiford the desired resiliency. To adjust the device, the members 98 are grasped and pressed towards each other. The handle 18 is then slid upwardly or downwardly until the desired adjustment is secured, after which the members 98 are released to resiliently grip the sides of the slots 9| to frictionally retain the device in adjusted position. A lug 93 connects the member 88 adjacent the lower end thereof to retain the members in proper spaced relation, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l.

ways.- This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in combination, a pair of telescopically slidable members, means on. one of said members for mounting a stereo slide on which are positioned in a fixed plane a pair of spaced stereo images, a pair of viewing lens tubes arranged in alignment with said images, means for securing said tubes to the other of said members, means for adjustably connecting said members for moving said lens tubes and said other member axially relative to said slide for focusing, and means for independently. pivotally' mounting said tubes on said other member for movement about separate axessubstantially in the plane and at the centers of said images ,so that said tubes may be moved laterally relative to said other member to adjust the spacing of said tubes.

2. In a stereoviewing device comprising,in combination, a pair of telescopically slidable members, means on one of said members for mounting a stereo slide on which are positioned in a fixed plane a pair of spaced stereo images, a pair of viewing lens tubes arranged in alignment with said images, means for securing said tubes to the other of said members, means for adjustably connecting said members for moving said lens tubes and said other member axially relative to said slide for focusing, means for independently pivotally mounted said tubes on said other member so that said tubes may be moved laterally relative to said other member about separate axes at th centers of said images to adjust the spacing of said tubes, and means for connecting said tubes adjacent said slide so that lateral movement of one of said tubes will automatically adjust the other tube the proper distance and in the required direction.

3. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in combination, a pair of telescopically slidable members, means on one of said member for mounting a stereo-slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo images, a pair of viewing lens tubes arranged in alignment with said images, means for securing said tubes to the other of said members, means for adjustably connecting said members for moving said lens tubes and said other member axially relative to said slide for focusing, an arcuate lug formed on each of said tubes adjacent said slide, said other memberbeing formed with arcuate recesses adapted to slidably receive said lugs to pivotaily mount said tubes for lateral adjustment on said other member, springs-secured to said other member ande'ng'aging lugs to retain the latter in said recesses, and shoulders on said other members cooperating' with said springs for securing said tubes tosaid otherv member.

4. In a stereoviewing device comprising, in combination,-a pair of telescopically slidable members, means on one of said members for mounting .a stereo slide on which are positioned a-pair of spacedistereo images, a pair of viewing lens tubes arranged in alignment with said images, for securing said tubes to th other oisaid' members, means for adiustably connect ing said members for moving said lens tubes and said othermember axially relative to said slide for focusing,- an arcuate lug formed on each of said tubes adjacent said slide, 'said other member being-formed with arcuate recesses adapted to slidablv receive said lugs to pivotally mount said tubes tor lateral adjusiznent on said other member, springs secured to said other member and enga in said lugs to retain the latter in said recesses, shoulders onsaidother member cooperatmoval of said slide.

ing with said sprin gs for securing said tubes to said othermemberffind a single tooth projecting laterally 1mm one of said tubes adjacent said lug and engaging a similar-single tooth on the'other tube to; operatively connect said tubes whereby when one of said tubesis pivoted on said other member the other tube will be automatically moved the proper distance and direction to space the viewing ends of said tubes.

5. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in

' combination, a pair of telescopically slidable members, means on one of said members for mounting a stereo slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo images, a pair of viewing lens tubes arranged in alignment with said images, means for securing said tubes to the other of saidmembers, means for adjustably connecting said members for moving saidlens tubes and said other member axially relative to said slide for focusing, an arcuate lug formed on each of said tubes adjacent said slide, said other member being formed with arcuate recesses adapted to slidably receive saidlugs to pivotally mount said tubes for lateral adjustment on said other member, springs secured tosaid other member and engaging said lugsto retain the latter in said recesses, shoulders on said other member cooperating with said springs'for securing said tubes to said other member, and an upper and a lower tooth projecting from each of said-tubes adja-'- combination, a support, a pair of viewing lens tubes mounted on said support, said support being formed with a slot adapted to receive a stereo slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo images, holding means on said support for retaining said images in alignment with said tubes, flexible means engaging an edge of said slide and adapted to partially eject said slide from said slot when said slide is moved away from said holding means to facilitate removal of said slidefrom said slot, and an inclined portion on said flexible means engageable by said edge when said slide is positioned in said slot to move said slide into alignment with said holding means.

7. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in

combination, a support, a pair of viewing lens tubes mounted on said support, said support being formed with a slot adapted to receive a stereo slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo images, a spring positioned in the bottom of; said slot and arranged to be compressed by the insertion oi a slide, a fixed shoulder on said support adjacentthe top thereof arranged to engage an edge of said slide and to cooperate with said spring to retain said images in alignment with said tubes, and a cam formed on said spring and engageable by said slide when the latter is inserted in said slot to move said slide out of registry with said'slot and into alignment with said shoulder,- said spring serving to Partially eject said slide from said slot when the slide is moved away from said shoulder to facilitate re- 8. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in

' combination, a support, a pair of viewing lens tubes mounted on said support, a plate secured to said support and formed with spaced apertures arranged in alignment with said tubes, said support being formed with a slot adapted to receive a slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo images, a spring positioned in said slot and arranged to be engaged by the lower edge of said slide to guide the latter toward said plate, and a, shoulder on said support cooperating with said spring to retain said images in registry with the apertures of said plate, said spring serving to partially eject said slide from said slot when said slide is moved away from said shoulder so as to facilitate removal of said slide.

9. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in combination, a holder for a slide on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo transparencies, a pair of viewing lens tubes secured to said holder on one side ofsaid slide and arranged in aligntachably secured to said holder on the other side of said slide and arranged to direct light rays through said transparencies, a supporting member detachably secured to said lamphouse, and a, lamp mounted on said supporting member and positioned in said lamphouse to aflord a source of illumination for said transparencies, said lamp being removable as a unit with said supporting member when the latter is detached'from said lamphouse.

10. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in combination, a holder for a slid on which are positioned a pair of spaced stereo transparencies, a pair of viewing members secured to said holder on one side of said slide and arranged in alignment with said transparencies, a lamphouse detachably secured to said holder on the other side of said slide, light reflecting members on said lamphouse arranged in alignment with said transparencies and adapted to reflectlight rays therethrough, a supporting member detachably secured to said lamp house, a lamp mounted on the end of said supporting member and positioned in said lamphouse intermediat said refleeting members, and a shield mounted in said lamphouse for directing the light rays of said lamp onto said reflecting members.

11. In a stereo viewing device comprising, in combination, a holder for a slide on which are positioned in a fixed plane a pair of spaced stereo transparencies, a pair of viewing lens tubes secured to said holder on one side of said slide and arranged in alignment with said transparencies, cooperating portions on said tubes and said holder adjacent said slide for pivotally mounting said tubes for lateral adjustment about axes substantially in the plane of said slide and at the centers of said images to vary the spacing between the viewing ends of said tubes, and means formed integral with said tubes and positioned adjacent said portions for directly connecting said tubes so that lateral movement of one of said tubes will automatically move the other of said tubes the proper distance and direction.

12. In an apparatus for stereoscopically viewing stereoscopic film negatives having adjoining edges, a base, means on said base for placing thereupon said film negatives in position to be viewed, an optical system for stereoscopically viewing said film negatives comprising a pair of optical image forming elements, fixed means on said base for supporting said elements in viewing relation to said film negatives with the lower ends o! the optical axes thereof passing through the centers of the adjoining film negatives, the upper ends or said optical axes being angularly adjustable with respect to said centers and means for adjusting the upper ends 01' said optical axes whereby to adjust said optical axes to suit the spacing of the eyes of an observer.

13. In an apparatus for stereoscopically viewing a pair of stereoscopic transparencies, a continuous supporting member adapted to hold said transparencies in position in a plane to be viewed, an optical system for stereoscopically viewing said transparencies comprising a pair of optical image-forming elements, means on said supporting member for supporting said elements in viewing relation to said transparencies with the lower ends or the optical axes thereof passing through the centers of the transparencies, means on said member for mounting said elements for pivotal movement relative to said base and about said centers the upper ends of said optical axes being angularly adjustable with respect to said centers, and means for adjusting said imageforming elements whereby to adjust said optical axis to suit the spacing of the eyes of an observer.

CHARLES W. PETERSON. 

